Controversial homes bid for village land approved
Plus: Dog who went on freedom "adventure" found safe and well
Good morning and welcome to your Thursday briefing from Ashfield News. In today’s newsletter, decisions are made on proposals to build new homes in the district, a missing dog who jumped from a lorry is reunited with its owner and a CCTV appeal from police after a broad daylight robbery.
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New homes can be built on village land
A new development of eight homes can be built on land in a Nottinghamshire village.
The properties were proposed for land at the JT Timber Supplies site in Cross Road, Annesley.
Ashfield District Council approved the creation of eight semi-detached homes.
The homes will all be three bedrooms and, according to the planning statement, would be cited where the current timber supplies storage yard is based.
Residents gave a mixed opinion on the plans ahead of a decision being reached.
One stated: “The village is too small for any more houses to be built.
“I find it is a dangerous junction as it is without adding more vehicles.
“There has already been numerous accidents at the top as it is. I am also fearful for children having to cross the road and using the bus stop for school.”
Another objection said: “The turning into Byron Road is a struggle as is, especially if you are turning left off the cutting.
“If there is one singular vehicle parked on the pavement, it causes a backlog of dangerous traffic. The addition of more vehicles will cause even more of a problem for drivers, pedestrians, children etc.”
Annesley and Felley Parish Council also opposed the plans amid concerns over road safety and possible contaminated land.
However, others welcomed the proposal and the creation of new houses in the area.
One Annesley resident told planners: “It’s great to see a development making use of a brownfield site. In my opinion it looks to provide great affordable family homes without any detriment to the local area.”
CCTV released after daylight robbery
Police have issued an image of a man they want to trace after a knife-point robbery in Hucknall.
A man in his 20s was walking home when he was approached in Orchard Street just before 3.30pm on Wednesday, July 17.
The individual who approached the man demanded cash, but when the victim refused the suspect revealed a knife.
The victim handed over £20 from his wallet but the suspect then demanded more money and told him to hand over his rucksack.
He refused and fled the scene.
Following the incident, police have now released an image of a man they think will be able to help with their inquiries and are asking for the public’s help.
Investigating officer Ebony Pearson said: “We are treating this incident extremely seriously. The victim was walking home when he stopped to help a person who wanted the time.
“The suspect then used this engagement to demand cash and used extreme threats of violence by showing the man a knife he had hidden in his trousers.
“This behaviour has no place on the streets of Hucknall and we are determined to ensure this offender is brought to justice.”
Anyone with information can call 101 quoting incident number 0443 of the 17th July 2024 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Community centre to be demolished
A community centre will be demolished and two council homes built in its place.
Residents in the Mill Close area of Huthwaite had raised concerns over parking if plans for the Mill House Centre were given the go ahead.
Ashfield District Council said running the centre had become unsustainable following the Covid pandemic, with no income and a five-year estimated maintenance fee of £36,000.
In addition to the demolition of the centre, associated garages will also be torn down and replaced with two semi-detached properties.
The plans were approved by the authority at a planning meeting last week.
Dog went on “adventure” after freedom bid
Police have tracked down a dog who jumped from its owner’s van and went on an “adventure”.
Bettie made the jump on July 22 and her owners contacted Nottinghamshire Police after receiving a possible sighting.
In collaboration with Drone to Home, Bettie was eventually found and reunited with her owner on July 29.
PCSO Liz Spencer-Creed, from the Kirkby Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was a great effort by the NPT and Laura from Drone to home to return Bettie to her owners.
“Once we had a potential lead (no pun intended) we were able to visit a number of addresses and eventually track Bettie down, and were delighted to be able to hand her over to Drone to Home to reunite her with her owners.
She added: “Bettie seemed none the worse for her adventure and I enjoyed a few cuddles of my own before handing her back.
Drone to Home were especially helpful and provide a fantastic service which I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone missing their beloved pets.”